OREANDA-NEWS 

The organizations have released a joint report that says there is "sufficient evidence" that vaping is "unsafe" and "unhealthy". The report also warns that tobacco, which can lead to cancer and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, kills more than 1 million people in China every year. Without further anti-smoking policies, this number could double by 2030 or even triple by 2050.

It is noted that more than 300 million Chinese smoke - 26.6% of all people aged 15 and over. To reduce smoking prevalence, China’s subdivision of the WHO has developed a new program available on the multipurpose WeChat app. The China Smoking Cessation Platform provides users with access to smoking cessation hotlines, dedicated clinics and chat support groups. Also, the representative of the health commission said that there will be a list of events and organizations in which smoking is prohibited in the nearest future.

Since March 2021, China has tightened its regulation on e-cigarette sales. Then the shares of companies producing electronic devices for smoking fell. In 2019, 4.6 thousand of such companies were registered in China, and in 2020 - already 18 thousand. Since e-cigarettes are advertised as a less harmful alternative to tobacco, many smokers are switching to vapes and other smoking devices. The 2019 survey demonstrated that there has been a drop in schoolchildren who smoke in China, but more people have started using e-cigarettes.

In 2016, the China's cabinet of ministers, set a goal to reduce smoking rates among people aged 15 years to 20% by 2030. A nationwide campaign also banned smoking in schools, government buildings and public places. Smoking rates in government buildings have dropped significantly, from nearly 60% in 2010 to 31% in 2018, according to official figures.